Best of the Noughties - Top 10 documentaries - Features - Lifestyle / Electronic Beats by Telekom

Welcome to the fourth instalment of “Best of the Noughties”. After first focusing on music blogs, public art installations and amazing tracks, we’re now pinpointing our favourite documentary films of the last ten years.

Within the last decade, documentaries have exploded into the mainstream consciousness. Although the format traditionally existed on the fringes of popular culture, in-your-face filmmaker Michael Moore brought that to an end with the 2004 release of Fahrenheit 9/11, which made over $222 million at the box office and was the highest grossing documentary of all time.

The public now craves documentaries, voracious in their quest to absorb knowledge and information from all parts of the world. Whether the films are activating a switch for policy change, or shining a light on overlooked artists, ‘00s documentaries tend towards a common theme: the epic struggle. The best part is, when you’ve finished viewing a good specimen, you are safe in the knowledge that no greedy film executive deceived you -- it was all real.

From community gardeners in L.A. to Sudanese refugees, news editor Ari Stein whittled down the decade’s documentaries for your viewing pleasure.

The Kid Stays In the Picture, 2002

The making and downfall of major Hollywood producer Robert Evans, whose life permeated every aspect of La La Land in the ‘70s and ‘80s. An astonishing and insightful documentary that gives one a real sense of what it feels like to have everything and then lose it.

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, 2008

The strange tale of what one totally psychotic woman does to destroy the fabric of a close family. This documentary needs to be seen to be believed, and even then, you'll still be shaking your head and at a loss for words.

Man on Wire, 2008

At the height of Watergate paranoia, French high wire artist Philippe Petit attempted one of the greatest personal feats of the 20th century: walking on a tight rope between the Twin Towers in New York. As he so eloquently paraphrased in this amazing and inspiring film, "we all live our life on a tightrope".

The King of Kong, 2007

Who knew that a documentary about an unscrupulous battle between two competitive game players could be so unique and riveting? Based on the ‘80s arcade mainstay Donkey Kong, certain implausible events unfold after Steve attempts to usurp the arrogant and deceitful Mitchell as Donkey Kong champ.

God Grew Tired of Us: The Story of Lost Boys of Sudan, 2006

Winner of the 2006 Sundance Grand Jury Prize, this film tells the heart-wrenching story of the “Lost Boys”, a group of boys and men who traveled 1000 miles by way of Ethiopia to Kenya to escape the barbaric civil war raging in Sudan. After enduring many hardships, the Lost Boys were transplanted to the USA, where they attempt to bring normalcy back to their lives in an unfamiliar land.

The Garden, 2008

Based on a group of community gardeners in L.A. who fight to the bitter end to keep their small piece of urban paradise. An immense legal battle ensues, millions of dollars are raised, and the ending is disturbing. As usual, politics, greed and personal gain make an uninvited appearance.

Dark Science, 2008

One of the most obscure documentaries of the decade, this mystifying and remarkable feature follows a group of anthropologists led by the megalomaniac Swedish scientist Eric Mjöberg in 1910. They set out to prove the link between humans and apes, using Australian Aborigines. After desecrating remains and upsetting a delicate religious equilibrium, Mjöberg dies 28 years later of a wretched curse that never left him.

Promises, 2001

Filmmaker B.Z. Goldberg ventured deep into the divide of the Gaza Strip to find out what it’s like for the area’s voiceless demographic: kids. A poignant and deeply moving documentary that attempts to bring young Palestinians and Israelis together in spite of the ignorance and hatred that surrounds them.

Waltz with Bashir, 2008

Although this animated film is a reconstruction, it’s also a highly emotional and dreamlike documentary. Writer and director Ari Folman based this 90-minute tale on his traumatic real life experiences in the Lebanon war. Max Richter’s soundtrack is a perfect accompaniment for the surrealist escape.

Anvil! The Story of Anvil, 2008

This list wouldn’t be complete without one of the biggest word-of-mouth documentaries of the decade. Infamous throughout the 1980s, Canadian metal band Anvil seemed poised for fame, but everything came tumbling down after a disastrous European tour. We watch in desperation as Anvil battle regrets and come to terms with reality. A true testament to struggle, perseverance and coping with failure.

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Anvil, BEST OF THE NOUGHTIES, Dark Science, Dear Zachary, Documentary, God Grew Tired Of Us, Man On Wire, Promises, the Garden, The Kid Stays In the Picture, The King Of Kong, Waltz With Bashir

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Best of the Noughties - Top 10 documentaries

23/11/2009

text: Ari Stein

Welcome to the fourth instalment of “Best of the Noughties”. After first focusing on music blogs, public art installations and amazing tracks, we’re now pinpointing our favourite documentary films of the last ten years.

From community gardeners in L.A. to Sudanese refugees, news editor Ari Stein whittled down the decade’s documentaries for your viewing pleasure.

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